Final Lap less 1

Sorry for the delay in my write up. A lot has happened since my one and only trip to the podium. The paparazzi will not leave me alone; Oprah is hounding me to be on her show; my agent is in negotiations for me to be on the AARP developmental cycling team; the book deals, …. It is hectic.

First, my apologies to Tom (a.k.a. T.O.) I realized as we pass the start/finish that I was off by a lap when responding to Tom on how many laps left. I yelled, but Tom was already out to make a name for Tower Racing on the final lap - 1. You got to fear that guy’s don’t hold back mentality. He was looking pretty strong throughout the race. I can’t help but wonder if he would have taken the whole race.

Tom sets the strategy: track on the inside; stay up front, but not THE front; Hit it hard at the bridge on Balboa on the final lap. Sounds like a plan. I’ll just do what Tom does.

The start of the race, I am feeling tentative, I realize in the first few laps that I have not taken any hard corners since May at Matteson. I am hitting the breaks before every corner and the whole field around me is also surging. I need to get the hang of this quick. After a few laps, I settle down and am able to avoid hitting the breaks by taking a tight inside line in the corners (Tom’s plan).

Gary’s right. It is quite motivating when your teammates are in the race. I could not help but admire Gary’s, Tom’s and Tony’s jerseys as they zoom up the inside. It is super cool looking ahead when each was taking a turn at leading the race. When I grabbed the lead, I realized how hard that wind was coming from the South. I kept the pace going until I had to climb up Balboa. I slow to the right and I look to my left to see Gary driving up the inside (Tom’s plan in action). All the riders behind me jump to his wheel. Thank you, Gary.

I recover from the pull and realize I’m near the back of the pack. You cannot rest for a minute in these races. As I move up, I get boxed in by experimenting with going up the middle. This is not a good feeling. I stick to Tom’s plan and drive up the inside in small spurts to get near the front once again.

On the final lap less 1, Tom works his magic in hopes to get Tower Racing on the board. It was impressive. Shortly after we cross “Tom’s finish line” (notice how I am distancing myself from this), the announcer says “One lap to go”. I find myself at about 12-15th and am seeing the XXX guys collecting near the front. This must be the time. I’m feeling good and try to keep to the inside.

I apply Tom’s plan on each corner moving up a few positions. With ½ lap to go, I am sitting about 8th and feeling that this would be an ok position in the Clarendon Hills sprint, but I’d like to be closer to the front. I have been noticing there is a slow down before turn 3 that I am able to avoid by staying tight, just have to be careful over the man hole covers. Out of the corner, I see the 3 leaders driving up the hill on Balboa and starting to gap, I stand on it to close a minor gap and pass 4 in the process. The lead guy is wasted and gets peeled off. I tuck in behind the new 2nd place guy into the forth corner, I touch the breaks to get behind for the inside lane (dumb move, but the inside worked for me all day.) I sit and wait to pounce (wrong move, didn’t follow Tom’s final plan on hitting it between turns 3-4). After the 4th corner, I am closing in on 2nd place only to run out of track. I am disappointed that I did not go earlier. Not sure I would have passed anyone, but it would have been nice to find out. Then it hits me, I actually placed in a race. While I am concerned I blew a rare opportunity, I’ll take it.

End result: Tower is on the podium; $100 goes to Tower Racing charities and my company (U.S. Cellular®) will match the gift; team Tower has all four finish the race with wheels down in good standing (in a race with its share of crashes). It’s a good day.

-Ed